Tech 21 Bass Boost Fuzz Pedal Review

Used in studios and on
stages around the world
for over 20 years, Tech 21’s
SansAmp devices have been
praised for their tube-amp
emulation. And with all-analog
circuitry and a buffered bypass,
Tech 21’s effects pedals also
display the company’s “vintage-in-a-box” mentality. Having
been applauded by bassists for
their improvement to the “typical”
chorus pedal with the Bass
Boost Chorus, Tech 21 has
recently introduced their take on
classic fuzz for bassists, fittingly
named the Bass Boost Fuzz.

Fuzz Tones for All
Tech 21 created the Bass Boost
Fuzz with inspiration from its
counterpart for guitarists, the
Boost Fuzz. Emulating the classic
sound of germanium transistors,
this pedal solves some of the
issues associated with the older
fuzz boxes. Tech 21 believes that
bassists were frustrated with
using earlier fuzz pedals, which
typically catered to guitar frequencies.
As a result, the bottom
end of their tone would disappear
because the effects were not
voiced for the bass.

The Bass Boost Fuzz offers five
knobs for dialing in that perfect
sound. Adjusting the level adds
fuzz, while the clean knob blends
in the instrument’s initial signal.
The tone knob is described as
a specialized low-pass filter that
shifts the high cut from 10 kHz to
1 kHz. In other words, the pedal
delivers a fuzz tone ranging from
a warm, mellow buzz, to an edgy
and biting grind. The amount of
fuzz can then be tempered with
the drive dial, which also responds
to volume adjustments from the
instrument in hand.

As its name implies, a bonus
feature on the Bass Boost Fuzz
is the boost function, and this
fifth knob offers the player a
massive 21 dB of clean boost.
The boost works post-effect, so
it increases the signal without
adding more distortion. And
because it’s operated by a separate
footswitch, the boost can be
used with or without the effect.

Other unique improvements
to the classic-fuzz formula
include a 1 Ω input (which
matches well with a variety of
pickups) and a buffered bypass
that prevents signal loss and high-end
loss when the Bass Boost
Fuzz is linked to other pedals. It’s
clear that Tech 21 has studied the
scrolls of fuzz-box design, producing
an effect with a vintage
voice in a modern body.

Two-in-One Fun
I dissected the Bass Boost Fuzz’s
tones using a Phil Jones D-600
head and a pair of Glockenklang
112 cabinets. I put the pedal
through its paces while alternating
between a Ritter R8
Singlecut, a ’64 Fender Jazz, and
a Nash P-style bass.

With all three instruments,
the Bass Boost Fuzz delivered
a tight fuzz tone with a slight,
low-mid punch. It took a little
time to balance and blend the
effect and clean signal, but
with the responsive level, clean,
and boost controls, I could
always find the ideal mix for
frothy fuzz sounds. The tone
and drive dials added tons of
character, whether it was putting
some extra hair on the
Nash’s tone, or a stinging top-end
buzz on the Jazz.

Exploring the different
dimensions of fuzz with the
Bass Boost Fuzz was fun, but
my favorite function was the
pedal’s clean boost. It boosted
the signals with zero coloration,
allowing the Ritter to ring
clearly and the bridge pickup
on the Jazz to bump up nicely.

Was He Fuzzy?
For a live comparison with
other pedals, a fellow
bassist (and fuzz
enthusiast) incorporated
the Bass
Boost Fuzz into his
pedalboard, which
was loaded with a
variety of different
fuzz and overdrive
pedals. Wielding a
’79 Rickenbacker
4001, we dialed
in different fuzz
tones with the
pedals, all of which predictably
required extensive knob
noodling to achieve unity gain.
Compared to the other pedals,
we found the Bass Boost
Fuzz to be a little darker, but
noticeably more supportive in
character. And while it didn’t
possess the unbridled gain and
top end found in some other
pedals, the Bass Boost Fuzz
captured sounds that were
excellent for sludgy doom-metal
drones or root-riding classics
like “Dance to the Music.”

The Verdict
The Tech 21 Bass Boost Fuzz
allows bassists to create solid
fuzz tones with both active
and passive instruments. The
boost feature is a wonderful
and versatile addition to the
pedal, providing a sonic lift for
some of the fuzz settings, or as a
transparent tool to really make
your bass stand out. And while
it may not have an over-the-top
amount of gnarl, the Bass Boost
Fuzz offers above-average effects
in a budget-friendly package.

David Abdo is a first call bassist in the Midwest. He has performed with a wide spectrum of artists in Jazz, R&B, Blues, Latin, and Rock. He also counsels fellow musicians who are struggling with G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), a condition that he has been battling for many years.

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